Stress occurs when you are unable to cope with pressure.
Any type of mental pressure can cause stress. It can be brought on by a single event, a build-up of several small things or pressure you put on yourself.
Some common causes of stress include:
- money problems
- job worries
- relationships
- death of a loved one
- family problems
- exams
Sometimes, there are no clear causes of stress. Some people naturally feel more frustrated, anxious or depressed than others, which can cause them to feel stressed more often.
Stress hormones
Stress causes a surge of hormones in your body: mainly cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. These stress hormones are released to boost your ability to deal with pressures or threats, you may have heard of this described as "fight or flight".
Once that pressure or threat has passed, your stress hormone levels usually return to normal. However, if you are under constant stress, these hormones remain in your body causing the symptoms of stress.
Your stress
Stress can make people react in different ways. A situation that is stressful to one person may in fact be motivating to another.
If you are not sure what causes your stress, keep a diary, noting stressful episodes for two to four weeks, then review it to spot the triggers.
Things to write down:
- Date, time and place of stressful episode
- What were you doing?
- Who were you with?
- How did you feel emotionally?
- What were you thinking?
- What did you start doing?
- How did you feel physically?
- Stress rating (0 to 10 where 10 is the most stressed you could ever feel)
Use the diary to:
Sometimes doctors will advise you to keep a stress diary to help with diagnosing your stress.
In some cases, long-term stress can lead to ill-health. If you think you are experiencing stress-related ill health, you should see your GP.
Find out how stress is diagnosed.
